Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Apr 1 – Sep 30)
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed, with restrictions
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- parks.ca.gov(760) 389-2281
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert INCREASED BEAR ACTIVITY IN CAMPGROUNDS: California State Parks is reminding visitors to exercise caution while camping or recreating at Silverwood Lake SRA due to an increase in bear sightings. Learn more on our Bear Safety page
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Covering about 3,128 acres, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area lies in San Bernardino County, about 8 miles south of Hesperia.
Things to do include surfing, horseback riding, boating, swimming, and fishing. Water access includes a swimming beach, a boat ramp, and boat or kayak rentals. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. | Apr 1 – Sep 30 |
| Daily | 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. | Oct 1 – Mar 31 | |
| Visitor center — Nature Center | Fri–Sun | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
April 1 - September 30: 6 AM - 9 PM daily October 1 - March 31: 7 AM - 7 PM daily All vessels must be trailered by sunset
Nature Center Hours: Fri., Sat., Sun. 10am-4pm
Nature Center Hours: Fri., Sat., Sun. 10am-4pm
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Los Angeles).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Day Use (Regular) | $10 |
| Vehicle Day Use (Special Holiday/Seasonal/Weekend Rate) | $20 |
| Bus, Large | $60 |
| Bus, Small | $30 |
Official wording
Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods, and during weekends. Prices are subject to change without notice. • Vehicle Day Use (Regular): $10.00 • Vehicle Day Use (Special Holiday/Seasonal/Weekend Rate): $20.00 • Bus, Large: $60.00 • Bus, Small: $30.00
California park passes
- California Explorer Annual Pass — $195. Vehicle day-use entry to 134 state parks incl. high-demand Southern California beaches Details
- Golden Poppy Annual Pass — $125. Vehicle day-use entry to 112 state parks Details
- Historian Passport — $50. Admission for up to four people at per-person-fee State Historic Parks Details
- Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Annual Pass — $50. Entry to State Vehicular Recreation Areas that collect day-use fees Details
- SNO-Park Pass — $40 season / $15 day. 18 SNO-PARK winter recreation areas Details
From the California state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveCalifornia
- Phone
- (800) 444-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed, with restrictions
Not allowed in or on: beach or in the water; the beach or in the water.
Are dogs allowed? Yes: Dogs allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas, and parking lots and on boats. Dogs not allowed on beach or in the water. Do not allow pets to enter the water. Do not allow pets to enter the water Dogs - Dogs are permitted on all trails but must be on leash at all times. Dogs are not allowed on the beach or in the water. California State Parks urges dog owners to keep dogs away from raw fish at Silverwood Lake due to the risk of Salmon Poisoning Disease. The disease can be deadly for dogs that eat certain types of raw or cold-smoked freshwater fish infected with a bacteria-like organism. The parasite does not affect people or other pets, and properly cooked fish is safe. How to Keep Dogs Safe • Keep Dogs on leash and away from water and fishing areas
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Camping Fees
- Group Campsites (Valle, Barranca, Rio): $350 per night
- Disabled Discount Pass (1/2 price day use and camping)
Campfires & BBQs - Campfires are allowed in the campground in park-provided fire rings. Use of charcoal is allowed in park-provided grills in the campground and designated picnic areas. Portable charcoal barbeques, ground fires, or other portable wood-burning fire pits or devices are not permitted due to potential fire danger. Use of personal propane gas grills, stoves, lanterns, and heaters are allowed.
Camping - A maximum of three vehicles (including towed vehicle) are and 8 persons are allowed to occupy a family campsite. onsecutive occupancy limits for all campgrounds at Silverwood Lake SRA are as follows: April 1 – September 30: 14 consecutive nights, October 1 – March 31: 30 consecutive nights.
Read more from the park
Day Use Parking - Vehicles parked within the park must remain on the pavement at all times. Parking off-road and within a designated campsite is prohibited. Parking in the Sawpit Boat Lot is restricted to vehicles displaying proof of payment of State Park Boat Fees when posted. Vehicles parking outside the park are restricted from parking along off/on-ramps and in emergency parking zones.
Silverwood Lake offers boat rentals, dry storage, wet slips, fishing licenses, and more through our park concessionaire, Explorus. The marina store also provides ice, firewood, snacks, camping equipment, boating fuel, and other recreation supplies. For information about boat rental prices, boat slip reservations, and more, visit the concessionaires website.
Overnight facilities: En route Campsites, Tent Camping, Group Campsites, Hike-and-Bike Campsites, Remote Camping, RV/Trailer Campsites w/Hookups, RV Dump Station, RV Access
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BoatingPicnickingFishingSwimmingWildlife viewing and birdingSurfingGeocachingHikingBikingHorseback ridingCamping
Boating and paddling
Attention Boaters!
Silverwood Lake SRA wishes to remind everyone of California's new law requiring all boat operators to have a California Boating Card. The card is required for everyone to operate a boat in California's waters, which includes Silverwood Lake, Lake Perris, and all other inland waterways as well. californiaboatercard.com
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Drinking water
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Parking
- Group facilities
Water
- Swimming beach
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Group camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Overview
Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area was formed by the 249-foot Cedar Springs Dam. It is the highest reservoir in the State Water Project. The park includes hiking trails, swimming beaches and designated areas for boating, water-skiing and fishing. Some family camping and group camping is available. The park is located north of San Bernardino off Highway 138. Phone (760) 389-2281 or (760) 389-2303 for more information.
Camping
Old Mesa Campground: five accessible tent campsites (#26, #49, #66, #77, and #80) and two designated accessible tent campsites (#1 and #31) are available. The designated accessible campsites may contain parking and route barriers for some visitors. The combination restroom/shower building near campsite #49 and #80 is accessible, including parking.
Read more from the park
New Mesa Campground: three accessible R.V. campsites (#98, #117, and #128) with electricity, water, and sewer hook-ups are available. The nearby combination restroom/shower building is generally accessible, including parking.
Picnic Area
Cleghorn Day Use: Scattered throughout the day use area, 30 accessible picnic sites are available. Accessible parking and restrooms are available.
Trails
The Cleghorn Hike and Bike Trail is a 0.33 mile accessible paved trail along the Cleghorn swim beach area. The trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes with one section for 88 feet at 6%. Trailhead and accessible parking are available at either lots #4 or #5. Accessible restrooms are available at both lots.
The Silverwood Lake Multi-Use Trail is an ‘out-and-back’ improved access trail that is 0.44 miles each way that follows the lake's southern shoreline that offers excellent views of the lake and surrounding San Bernardino Mountains. The surface is asphalt. The trail is generally flat at less than 5% slopes with intermittent sections between 5% to 8% and one section for 54 feet at 9%, which may present a barrier to some visitors. Accessible parking is located at the trailhead at the far end of Parking Lot #3. Accessible restrooms are not available at the trailhead but can be found at the Marina Day Use Area.
Trail Name Running Slope Cross Slope Trail Width Trail Surface
Cleghorn Hike and Bike Trail 2% Average 2% Average 7 FT Average Asphalt
6% Maximum 2% Maximum 7 FT Minimum
Silverwood Lake Multi-Use Trail 3% Average 1.5% Average 8 FT Average Asphalt
9% Maximum 1.5% Maximum 8 FT Minimum
Beach/Shore Access
In the Cleghorn Day Use area, an accessible pathway extends across the beach to the high water line. When the lake is at full-pool, this pathway extends to the water's edge.
Exhibits/Programs
The campfire center located between the Old Mesa and New Mesa campground is accessible, including parking. The restroom adjacent to the campfire center is usable but may present barriers to some visitors.
Other Information
At the lake marina entry area, a concrete surface vista point (#1) with picnic table as well as fishing access may be usable.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- Cleghorn Rd
Hesperia, CA 92345 - Nearest town
- Hesperia — about 8 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 34.2805, -117.3350
- Phone
- (760) 389-2281
Entrances
- Directions point
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
13990 Sawpit Canyon Rd, Hesperia, CA, 92345The park is located off of Highway 138 and Cleghorn Road, 11 miles east of I-15 heading east; or 20 miles north of San Bernardino via Highways 18 & 138. For best results navigating to Silverwood Lake type in Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area or 13990 Sawpit Canyon Rd, Hesperia, CA, 92345 into your GPS device.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- California State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- California State Parks Listing page (one link per unit, page_id = officialId), unioned with the CSP Enterprise GIS 'ParkEntryPoints' ArcGIS layer (coords, address, county, unit number, management status) and the 'CSPParkUnit_CurrentStatus' layer (open/partial/full closure)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology